Reagan Events

Iran Hostage Crisis

Jan 20, 1981

Minutes after Reagan inauguration 52 hostages were released from Iran. They were held for 444 days.

First Inauguration of Reagan

Jan 20, 1981

Reagan became the 40th President of the United States.

Spending Speech

Feb 18, 1981

Reagan proposes increased defense spending and decreased taxes and domestic spending in his speech.

Reagan Shot

Mar 30, 1981

Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. while returning to his limousine after a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton.

Soviet grain embargo lifted

Apr 24, 1981

Reagan lifted the grain embargo trade once stocks and commodity markets closed for the weekend.

Reagan and air-traffic controllers strike

Aug 5, 1981

PATCO workers refused to work breaking a 1955 law. 11,345 workers were fired

Sandra Day O’Connor nominated to Supreme Court

Aug 19, 1981

Sandra was nominated to Supreme Court full-filling Reagan's promise on having a woman on the highest court.

Military buildup (B-1 Bomber and MX missiles)

Oct 2, 1981

Reagan asks for 100 MX's and 100 B-1 Bombers to upgrade nation's nuclear forces.

Sanctions on Poland

Dec 23, 1981

Reagan ordered a series economic reprisals on Polish Government

Reagan delivers his first State of the Union

Jan 26, 1982

Reagan delivers his first State of Union remarking historical significance of the tradition.

Reagan addresses Parliament in England

Jun 8, 1982

Reagan addresses both houses of Parliament.

Tax Equity ; Fiscal Responsibility Act

Jul 22, 1982

federal legislation passed to cut budget deficit through federal spending cuts, tax increases and reform measures.

Strategic Defense Initiative

Mar 23, 1983

Nicknamed Star Wars Program, it was a proposed missile defense system that would protect the United States from nuclear weapons

Social Security reform becomes law

Apr 20, 1983

Made comprehensive changes to Social Security Coverage, financing and benefit structure. Was fully signed into law Jan 1 1984.

Invasion of Grenada

Oct 25, 1983

An Action to protect U.S citizens living on the island, including medical students.

Farm credit crises (Feb 1985)

Feb 16, 1985

A reform and shrink of the Federal Farm Support Program

Embargo on Nicaragua

May 1, 1985

Reagan prohibited all trade between Nicaragua and the U.S

Reagan, Gorbachev hold summit in Switzerland

Nov 19, 1985

Summit was held with Switzerland to talk about international diplomatic relations

Space Shuttle Challenger explosion (Reagan Speech)

Jan 28, 1986

Reagan gave a speech to honor the lost 7 lives from the explosion of the Space Shuttle.

South African sanctions

Oct 2, 1986

Key was to isolate South Africa.

Reagan and Gorbachev meet in Iceland Democrats gain seats (Nov 1986)

Oct 11, 1986

Meeting on arms control

U.S. illegally sells arms to Iran (Iran-Contra Affair)

Nov 13, 1986

deal that traded missiles

Water Quality Control Act

Feb 4, 1987

Bill that would would provide sewage treatment

Tower Commission concludes report (1987)

Feb 27, 1987

Investigation over Iran Contra Affair

Berlin Wall Speech in West Berlin (1987)

Jun 12, 1987

Speech over tearing the wall down

Gorbachev, Reagan sign treaty (1987)

Dec 8, 1987

Treaty signed about Nuclear Forces.

Reagan prohibits abortion assistance (1988)

Jan 21, 1988

Prohibited family planning centers from assisting in abortions

Reagan visits Soviet Union (1988)

May 31, 1988

Summit ends and cold war ended

Reagan says farewell

Jan 11, 1989

After two terms Reagan delivers his farewell speech.